02/17/2026
“A number of factors could prevent Idaho taxpayers from getting their returns on time, according to Renee Eymann, senior public information officer for the tax commission.
One is House Bill 559, sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Elhers, R-Meridian.
When the Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted on the tax conformity bill, it was done with “hope” that the tax commission could operate through the 2026 tax season “with their existing resources,” Ehlers told the Idaho Statesman. However, Eymann said the new law requires the tax commission to meticulously update its entire system before processing your return.
“Now we need to update our tax forms and instructions and systems to incorporate the conformity changes,” Eymann said. “This will delay refunds beyond their normal time frames as we’re making these adjustments.”
Eymann told the Statesman that “it normally takes nine months for” updates like this to be made – although “it’s not going to take that long.”
“We’re really going to have to push it to get what needs to get done to help everybody,” she added.
That means if you already submitted your 2025 tax return, you may be asked to file an amended return as well, according to Eymann.”
